Well, when you think about it, it might not be the worst thing — if it’s not too long an absence…
“Our game is going to take a dip on the offensive side of it, especially on the power play,” admitted head coach Knoblauch, moments after stating that — though Draisaitl’s examination had not been completed as he spoke — Knoblauch expected to be without the big German for some or all of the remaining three games of this homestand.
“Five-on-five, you don’t have one of the best players on the ice playing 20-24 minutes a night. It’s really important that our team simplifies our game,” Knoblauch said. “We’re not going to be able to score as many goals; we can’t outscore our troubles. So it’s going to be important that we play good defensive hockey.”
Edmonton has already been playing an improved brand of defensive hockey, coupled with the emergence of undisputed No. 1 Connor Ingram in goal. Those two have combined to allow just nine goals in Ingram’s last five starts, and a 4-0-1 record.
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Now, they’ll have to hunker down some more — which we’ve all learned over the years is the Holy Grail here in Edmonton.
When you have Edmonton’s firepower, the trick is to split up a lesser amount of scoring chances with your opponent and count on your elite scorers to cash in on one more chance than the other guys. Playing without Draisaitl can only put a finer point on that approach.
“For sure,” Connor McDavid said of Tuesday’s game against the San Jose Sharks, “we want to play a solid low-event game.”
The irony of the talented Sharks coming to town is that the Sharks are exactly what Edmonton fancied itself to be five or six years ago: a high-flying group of young, skilled players who want to run ‘n gun through the league, scoring in bunches.
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Edmonton was once that team, and the opponents that gave them the most trouble by far were the ones that did not engage them in track-meet-like games.
“Every time you’d go into St. Louis, you were losing 3-1 or 2-1 and just getting beat up the whole night,” Ryan Nugent-Hopkins recalled earlier this season. “L.A. was the same thing. Anaheim. When I first came in Vancouver was tough, with the Sedins. Chicago would outskate you every night…
“It’s extremely nice to be on the other side of it now.”
The other side is that the Oilers have learned how to control the pace of a game. Or, at least, they should have learned by now.
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In a Tuesday game that Draisaitl will watch from the press box, defensive specialist Jason Dickinson will pick up many of his minutes.
Don’t look for Dickinson to open his game up as a result.
“I don’t think that’s how I approach things,” he said. “I stick to my core — I stick to what I am good at — because if I deviate, then other things suffer. The defensive side of my game suffers, and that’s not good for anybody.”
“But with that said, I am still going to try to elevate my offensive game more, to supplement what’s missing,” he added. “But I’m not going to take chances just because I’m in a higher role and Leon is missing.
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“I’m not going to start making crazy spin-o-rama plays, because that’s what Leon would do. I’m not going to be that guy.”
Draisaitl was injured on a hard but clean hit by Nashville’s Ozzy Weisblatt in Sunday’s 3-1 Oilers win. It’s being called a “lower body” injury, though our guess is a knee.
The Oilers training staff allowed him to attempt an in-game comeback Sunday, which should rule out anything catastrophic. And the Oilers spent much of the evening settling the score with Weisblatt, who was forced to have his head on a swivel for the final 40 minutes.
“It’s not the dirtiest check in the world, but it’s just who you hit and the result of it, unfortunately. If you want to hit our top guys, there’s going to be a response,” explained McDavid, who has heard the noise emanating from Toronto after the Radko Gudas knee on Auston Matthews.
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“Yeah, there’s been lots of talk about it with Toronto,” McDavid said. “But every group’s different, and we didn’t love the fact that (Weisblatt) finished the hit so hard on Leo. And Leo didn’t feel very good after. So you’ve got to handle that.”
Handling Macklin Celebrini and the Sharks will be an entirely different issue, a team that reminds Dickinson a bit of the Blackhawks team he spent the past four seasons with.
“Macklin, Will Smith, those guys, they’re very high-skilled,” Dickinson said. “So the less you give them, the more frustrated they’re going to get, the more opportunities we’re going to get, the more they’re going to turn pucks over and feed our transition.
“And that’s where the game is going to be in our hands.”
Will Justin Fields start a game for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2026? Yahoo Sports’ Andrew Siciliano and Jori Epstein discuss that possibility along with the latest free agency moves across the league. Later, the duo sits down with former Jets passing-game coordinator Scott Turner to break down the biggest free agency storylines so far. Hear about it all in today’s jam-packed episode!
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(2:40) – Chiefs trade for Justin Fields
(10:41) – Vikings sign Kyler Murray
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(22:13) – Scott Turner joins!
(42:56) – Free agency roundup: Who’s still available?
Will Justin Fields boost the Chiefs’ offense as part of their QB room? (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
The Federal Government of Nigeria has fulfilled its promise to reward members of the Nigeria women’s national basketball team after their historic victory at the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2025.
The players were presented with house documents and national honours in Lyon by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, alongside the commission’s Director-General, Bukola Olopade.
The presentation fulfils the pledge made by the government to recognise the team after they won the 2025 AfroBasket tournament organised by FIBA.
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D’Tigress have been the most successful team in African women’s basketball in recent years. Their victory in 2025 helped Nigeria extend its strong record in the competition and confirmed the country’s place as one of the leading nations in women’s basketball on the continent.
Officials of the National Sports Commission said the reward shows the government’s commitment to honouring athletes who make Nigeria proud with their performances at international competitions.
The ceremony in France was attended by members of the Nigerian delegation, as well as players and officials of the team who received the documents on behalf of the squad.
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Under the guidance of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, D’Tigress have continued to perform well in both African and global competitions, including appearances at the Olympic Games and the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.
Their success has also inspired many young girls across Nigeria to take up basketball and dream of representing the country in the future.
More details about the players who received the rewards and the specific national honours are expected to be announced later by the National Sports Commission.
A small crowd of people gathered in front of the Florida House of Representatives hold signs and flags as they advocate to free Iran, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
A fifth member of the Iranian women’s national soccer team who originally decided to remain in Australia on a refugee visa had a chance of heart and decided to return home Sunday evening, the Australian government announced.
The team arrived in Melbourne to compete in the 2026 Asian Women’s Cup shortly before the United States and Israel began a series of airstrikes on Iranian hubs on Feb. 28. The team went winless in group-stage play, competing in its last match on March 8.
The majority of the team was relocated to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and remains there as the players and staff members attempt to find a way back to their war-torn country. But six Iranian players and one staff member stayed behind in Australia, accepting asylum from the country.
Of those seven, only two players now remain in Australia after the latest departure.
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“We’ve been working very, very closely with them, but obviously this is a very complex situation,” Matt Thistlethwaite, an assistant immigration minister for Australia, told Sky News. “These are deeply personal decisions, and the government respects the decisions of those that have chosen to return. And we continue to offer support to the two that are remaining.
“They’re being given all the support of the Australian government and indeed the diaspora community to remain here and settle in Australia.”
Brentford boss Keith Andrews was left frustrated after his European hopefuls blew a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at home to Wolves.
Igor Thiago had celebrated his first call-up for Brazil by putting the Bees 2-0 up against the Premier League’s bottom club after Michael Kayode’s opener.
But Adam Armstrong pulled one back for Wolves before half-time and, in a frantic second half, Tolu Arokodare hauled them level.
Rob Edwards’ revitalised side almost snatched a third straight win – and a first away from home this season – but Arokodare’s header thudded against the crossbar.
“Very frustrating,” said Andrews. “We need to manage the game better, we need to perform better in the second half, to manage momentum and deal with how the game flows.
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“The disappointing thing is we didn’t perform well in the second half. We didn’t produce the levels we normally do.”
A win for Brentford would have taken them to within a point of sixth-placed Chelsea and two behind Liverpool in fifth.
“The fact I’m getting asked questions like that is really nice, with eight games to go,” added Andrews.
“Our destiny is very much on us. What do we want to do? Push hard? Because I do.”
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Thiago toasted his international call-up in style with his 19th Premier League goal of the season.
“I’m really happy for him, really proud,” said Andrews. “I know a lot about his journey to get to Europe and the Premier League and I said to the staff they’ve all played a part and should be very proud.
“When he pulls on that iconic jersey it will be a special moment.”
Wolves were looking for a third straight win – and a first away from home this season – to keep their slim hopes of survival alive.
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“It’s hard to say when you’ve been two down but I thought we could have got all three points today,” said Edwards.
“Full credit to the boys for showing that fight. There’s a tinge of disappointment.
“It’s better to show fight and quality rather than just giving up and that’s why the supporters were on their feet at the end. While we’re here, make the most of it and show we are a good team.”
Due to some strange fixture scheduling, Wolves now have a 25-day break until their next match at West Ham.
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“It’s a really strange situation but we’ve got to make the best of it,” added Edwards.
Justin Fields is now a member of the Kansas City Chiefs‘ quarterback room after being traded to the AFC West.
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Fields now comes to a franchise unlike anything he’s seen before. An elite quarterback, an elite offensive mind, and a winning environment.
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With Fields seen as Patrick Mahomes’ backup, given that No. 15 is rehabbing his torn ACL, Justin could get a decent look at first-team reps this offseason as Patrick eases his way back to full health.
For Sports Illustrated’s Mike Kadlick, Fields might finally be able to shake himself free from the bust label.
“The 27-year-old will now not only have an opportunity to potentially play meaningful football to begin the ’26 season—depending on when Mahomes is cleared post-ACL surgery—but also a chance to reset his bust-labeled career under one of the league’s premier offensive minds in Andy Reid,” Kadlick wrote.
Can Fields be latest veteran QB set for career revival?
Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield are the two players who are the shining lights when it comes to top draft picks who have failed early in their careers, only to move and see their careers trend upward.
Could Fields be the next one?
There’s certainly a case to be made.
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He’ll learn from Mahomes, get to play in an offensive scheme designed by wizard Andy Reid, and he won’t be under any pressure to win. He’ll work on his game in the shadows, as Darnold did in San Francisco.
Yes, there is a long way to go, but Fields might have just landed in the best possible spot to revive his career.
As Liam Rosenior digests his second Premier League defeat as Chelsea manager, the Blues boss was called out on live TV by an Arsenal icon
Thierry Henry has criticised Liam Rosenior for turning away following Alejandro Garnacho’s error that proved costly for Chelsea against Newcastle United. The ex-Manchester United forward was given the nod to face Eddie Howe’s side, who beat the Blues 1-0 at Stamford Bridge.
Anthony Gordon slotted home the match’s only goal, which saw the west Londoners slip out of the top five following Liverpool’s 1-1 draw at Anfield to Tottenham Hotspur. It was a sloppy goal as Tino Livramento managed to easily thread Jacob Murphy through before the winger knocked the ball past the advancing Robert Sanchez for Gordon to stroke it home.
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Henry, speaking on Monday Night Football ahead of Brentford’s home fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers, pointed out Garnacho’s pressing attempt on the Newcastle defender. He argued the United academy graduate, who left Old Trafford last summer in a £40million deal, ought to have angled his press to cut off the passing route to Livramento, who was unmarked centrally.
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While the Arsenal icon conceded Garnacho had erred, he disapproved of Rosenior’s reaction of turning away in exasperation after Newcastle found the net, reports the Mirror. Henry said: “The way he went to put pressure there Garnacho, it’s very important that we’re going to talk about it.
“At that particular moment you have the info yourself that Chalobah was maybe going there [stepping forward], but you know he’s stopped and Livramento is alone. So at that particular moment you know you’re going to make a little turn or arc your run to make sure that the ball doesn’t go in, and then they play on Malick Thiaw here.
“That can happen what you just explain if you bend your run and that’s going to have a massive impact on what can happen straight after because it allows that ball to go inside and that’s exactly what you don’t want and he allowed that to happen.”
In response to Rosenior’s reaction, Henry added: “So the first mistake is don’t allow the ball inside (like Garnacho did), correct it after, but the leader on the field (points to Reece James) didn’t make it happen, right?
“But I want to show you here (points at Liam Rosenior turning away from the pitch), Liam Rosenior, I’ve been there, you are disappointed that they allowed that ball to go inside but we are not at a training ground here where you can go: ‘Ahh, let’s start again’.
“So since you talked about players do not react or they liked to be coached or the coach likes to maybe not give them that freedom, then coach it because there is a mistake.
“He’s not coaching it on the field, and unfortunately, I said to you that I’ve been there, but he’s not even looking at what is happening. Goal. Do you understand what I’m saying, it’s not easy. That’s what they need to deal with and they didn’t.”
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When questioned about Newcastle’s goal, Rosenior acknowledged a “tactical issue” lay behind the collective error, which could prove damaging to Chelsea’s Champions League qualification ambitions. The former Strasbourg boss explained: “Yeah, there’s a tactical issue. We press in a different way to most teams. It’s a new way of pressing. We don’t step on the press and we don’t cover in a position that we should have done. Mistakes happen.
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“They had nothing. They had nothing in the game and we gave them a goal. We talk about the press. I think the press was the reason Newcastle had to kick long balls back to us and we controlled the game.
“But in that moment, we make a mistake and it feels like at the moment every mistake we’re making is ending up in the back of our net and we need to make sure we stop those mistakes.”
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
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Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky shows at least 215 live Premier League games each season, an increase of up to 100, plus Formula 1, darts, golf and more.
Panarin was back on the MSG ice Monday as a member of the Los Angeles Kings, and fans gave him a loud ovation during a tribute video show in the first period.
The Rangers traded Panarin to the Kings in early February after the team determined they would not be re-signing him in free agency. As part of the trade, Panarin and the Kings agreed to a two-year contract extension.
Panarin played seven seasons for the Rangers and was one of the most dominant scorers in the NHL over that time. His 607 points in Rangers blue are the ninth most in franchise history, and the Rangers made the playoffs four times.
“I’ll try not to cry,” Panarin said pre-game. “We are battling for the playoffs. I don’t have time for that emotion, but, yeah, I’m just excited to play in MSG again.”
Joan Laporta was reelected as the president of FC Barcelona for another five years after winning a leadership vote among members of the Spanish soccer powerhouse.
Shortly after midnight in Barcelona, the club announced Laporta had won.
His only rival, Victor Font, had earlier conceded defeat and congratulated Laporta “for his unquestionable victory.”
With the counting now over, Barcelona said Laporta received 68% of the votes.
The club said that more than 48,000 of Barca’s 114,000 club members cast ballots at Camp Nou Stadium or at four other voting stations across Catalonia in northeastern Spain and in Andorra.
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“Thanks to this marvelous club, where its fans still vote to decide who will be their president and executive board,” Laporta said in his victory speech inside an auditorium at Camp Nou, flanked by members of his incoming board.
Laporta successfully presided over Barca from 2003-10 during the glory years of coach Pep Guardiola and a young Lionel Messi.
He was voted back into his post in 2021 when the club was in a dire economic situation after the lavish spending on players by president Josep Bartomeu and the financial hit of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Laporta responded to the crisis by deciding Barcelona could no longer afford Messi, who left for Paris Saint-Germain, and selling off some club assets, including 25% of its Spanish league TV rights for the next 25 years.
The club’s debt, however, has increased under Laporta, growing from 1.3 billion euros to over 2 billion euros ($2.3 billion) under his watch.
Font’s campaign tried to paint Laporta as an irresponsible manager who had ruined the future of the club, but Laporta won over more club members with his message that he had saved the club from ruin and now needed another term to finish the job.
Laporta, 63, was helped by the strong performance of the team under coach Hansi Flick and the emergence of a new star player in Lamine Yamal.
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He defended his financial management by highlighting that the club has lowered its spending on player wages and boosted its revenues. The increase in debt was also partly due to a long-overdue renovation of Camp Nou, the largest soccer stadium in Europe, which will boost revenues once complete in the coming months.
Barca’s club elections have many of the trappings of a real political election, with a long campaign that was intensely followed by Barcelona’s fans in Catalonia and the local media.
Coach Flick and several players of the club’s men’s and women’s soccer teams and its other sports teams, which include basketball and handball, cast ballots at Camp Nou on Sunday.
The election took place on the same day that Barcelona’s men’s team beat Sevilla 5-2 to retain its lead of the Spanish league.
Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy participates in his first preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders, taking snaps and directing the offense during early action in August 2024. McCarthy later suffered a meniscus tear during the outing, an injury that sidelined him for the entire season while veteran Sam Darnold handled starting duties. Mandatory Credit: (YouTube).
The Minnesota Vikings signed two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Kyler Murray on Thursday evening, and that means J.J. McCarthy, the man once viewed as the franchise’s QB1 solution — not very long ago — could be traded, according to the Pioneer Press‘s Charley Walters.
The Vikings’ quarterback conversation got weird in a hurry this week.
McCarthy has not expressed discontent since the Murray signing, nor has he requested a trade, but Walter’s warning is out in the open.
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Kyler Murray Chatter Opened the Door for a New Round of Speculation
That didn’t take long.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy reacts with emotion after reaching the end zone during a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. McCarthy helped spark early momentum for Minnesota while directing the offense in front of a hostile crowd during the contest played on Dec 14, 2025. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images.
Walters: Vikings Could Trade McCarthy
Walters is never shy about expounding on Vikings-themed rumors, and he took the plunge on McCarthy’s status last weekend.
He wrote, “Now that Kyler Murray seems set to be the Vikings’ starting quarterback next season, it wouldn’t be surprising if the team entertains a trade for J.J. McCarthy. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns seem like teams that might have an interest in McCarthy, potentially as a starter.”
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“The Los Angeles Chargers, coached by Jim Harbaugh, who coached McCarthy to a national championship at Michigan in 2004, would seem a third possibility as a backup to Justin Herbert. The Chargers do not have a designated backup QB. Last season, it was Trey Lance from Marshall, Minn. A trade for McCarthy would require a high enough draft pick. Don’t be surprised, if the Vikings were to trade McCarthy, if they bring Carson Wentz back to play behind Murray.”
McCarthy has missed 70% of all games since joining the Vikings in 2024, so it’s safe to say his stock is at its lowest.
The Browns Fit
The Browns have several quarterbacks; the Browns may not have a quarterback, which presents a problem.
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These men are the 2026 depth chart at the moment:
Deshaun Watson
Shedeur Sanders
Dillon Gabriel
Cleveland could not be overly nimble at quarterback this offseason because they’re still mitigating the sin of trading for and signing Watson at $230 million fully guaranteed. However, in 2027, offloading Watson will become slightly less painful, and by then, the Browns will have a clearer indication of whether Sanders has taken the next step as the franchise guy.
In the meantime, per the Walters theory, Cleveland could acquire McCarthy and basically throw in the towel on Gabriel, a 3rd-Rounder from last year.
Cleveland.com‘sMary Kay Cabot noted on the Browns’ quarterback situation last week, “They’re not trading for Anthony Richardson, despite widespread rumors during the first week of free agency that they’d pursue him, sources say. It’s never been a serious consideration for them, although they usually do their due diligence on available veterans to see if it’s a fit.”
“But Richardson was never in their plans, and the rumors were unfounded. At this point, the Browns are prepared to move forward with Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders as their top two contenders for the 2026 starting job, unless their remaining work on the draft-eligible quarterbacks alters those plans.”
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The Steelers Fit
Most believe, at least tentatively, that Aaron Rodgers will return in 2026, his 20th season in the pros. Rodgers said last summer that 2025 would probably be his last ride, but then the offseason rolled around, and he became noncommittal about his future. It’s what Rodgers does every year, and his old friend, Brett Favre, used to do annually with the Green Bay Packers. The two share an extreme and befuddling passion for milking offseason suspense. Nobody on the planet enjoys it except for those two guys.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy addresses reporters during a press conference introducing him as the franchise’s new head coach at the PNC Champions Club inside Acrisure Stadium. McCarthy answered questions from media members during the event held on Jan 27, 2026, marking the start of his tenure leading the Steelers. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images.
If Rodgers retires, the Steelers would look down at the roster and find Will Howard’s name, a 6th-Rounder from last year’s draft. If Pittsburgh is not enthused about HowardMania, it could call Kirk Cousins for a one-year bridge to get it to the 2027 NFL Draft, which is on deck to be stuffed to the gills with quarterbacks.
Otherwise, the Steelers could send a late-round pick to Minnesota for McCarthy, and the youngster could marinate behind Rodgers for a season or battle Howard for the job this summer.
It could be The McCarthy & McCarthy Show in Pittsburgh: Mike & J.J.
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The Chargers Fit
This is the weirdest of them all — unless the Chargers are secretly biding their time to end the Justin Herbert era. And why on earth would they be doing that?
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh celebrates with quarterback J.J. McCarthy following a touchdown pass against Michigan State during the third quarter at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. The Wolverines extended momentum during the rivalry matchup played on Oct 21, 2023, as Harbaugh acknowledged his quarterback on the sideline. Mandatory Credit: Nick King-USA TODAY NETWORK.
Sure, McCarthy and Harbaugh won a championship together at Michigan, but does that mean McCarthy wants to join Harbaugh in Los Angeles as Herbert’s backup? He has a better chance of dethroning Kyler Murray this summer than sniffing the Chargers’ lineup as the QB1. What’s more, Murray isn’t necessarily Iron Man; he could miss a few games, casting McCarthy back into the QB1 spotlight.
McCarthy to Los Angeles only makes sense if the Vikings have an urgent need to get rid of him, and Harbaugh comes knocking accordingly.
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